Clothing, textile drive aims to keep items out of landfills

ROCKFORD — Last season’s wardrobe, forgotten stuffed animals and old accessories can now get a second life through the Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful’s summer clothing drive.

INSIDE: How to donate

BELOW: How to donate

ROCKFORD — Last season’s wardrobe, forgotten stuffed animals and old accessories can now get a second life through the Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful’s summer clothing drive.

Community members are encouraged to donate clothing and textiles to prevent unnecessary waste from finding its way to a landfill. Drop off times are between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at the Belvidere Township building, various Schnucks grocery stores and the former Hilander grocery store.

“Some people have the misconception that if you send something to landfill it will eventually decompose (and) it will eventually go away. That is not the case at all,” said Executive Director Lori Gummow.

Items such as clothing, accessories, bedding, linens, stuffed toys, curtains, throw rugs and other soft goods can be dropped off at any of the nine locations, as long as they are in a plastic bag to protect against the weather.

The nonprofit environmental education organization will then take the materials to its contractors, which will ensure the materials are reused or recycled. Gummow said even the most torn and stained items can be transformed into items such as padding or insulation.

“Not are on you only helping the environment, you are helping families who need secondhand clothing as well,” Gummow said.